Liquid crystal display having wide viewing angle

ABSTRACT

A liquid crystal display includes first and second sub-pixels charged with the same voltage during a first period. The voltage charged in the second sub-pixel is decreased after the first period. Since the voltage level of the first sub-pixel is different from the voltage level of the second sub-pixel after the first period, liquid crystal molecules disposed corresponding to the first sub-pixel are aligned in a direction different from that of liquid crystal molecules disposed corresponding to the second sub-pixel. Thus, a side viewing angle of the liquid crystal display is improved.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/442,588 filed on Apr. 9, 2012 and relies for priority upon KoreanPatent Application No. 10-2011-0097719 filed on Sep. 27, 2011, thecontents of which are herein incorporated by reference in theirentirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of Disclosure

Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to liquid crystaldisplays. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention relateto liquid crystal displays capable of improving display quality thereof.

2. Description of the Related Art

Recently, various modes have been developed for improvement in liquidcrystal display quality. Such modes include a patterned verticalalignment (PVA) mode, a multi-domain vertical alignment (MVA) mode, asuper-patterned vertical alignment (S-PVA) mode, a super verticalalignment (SVA) mode, and the like.

For liquid crystal displays in which one pixel includes two sub-pixels,such as S-PVA mode liquid crystal displays or SVA mode liquid crystaldisplays, different sub-voltages are applied to the two sub-pixels ofeach pixel.

In the S-PVA mode liquid crystal display or the SVA mode liquid crystaldisplay, the liquid crystal molecules in the two sub-pixels havedifferent inclination angles from each other when an electric field isapplied to the pixels. Accordingly, a side viewing angle of the liquidcrystal displays is widened.

SUMMARY

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide a liquid crystaldisplay capable of improving an aperture ratio and a side visibility.

According to the exemplary embodiments, a liquid crystal displayincludes a gate line, a data line, a first sub-pixel, a secondsub-pixel, a first sharing capacitor, and a connection part. The gateline is configured to receive a gate-on signal during a first period ofa frame period and the data line crosses the gate line and receives adata voltage. The first sub-pixel is connected to the gate line and thedata line to receive the data voltage in response to the gate-on signal,and the second sub-pixel is connected to the gate line and the data lineto receive the data voltage in response to the gate-on signal. The firstsharing capacitor includes a first electrode and a second electrodeelectrically connected to the first sub-pixel, and the connection partis electrically connected the first electrode of the first sharingcapacitor to the second sub-pixel after the first period.

The connection part includes a first material whose a resistance valuedecreases when exposed to a light.

The liquid crystal display further includes a first reset lineconfigured to receive a first reset signal, and a first transistorconnected to the gate line and the first reset line to output the firstreset signal in response to the gate-on signal.

The first sub-pixel includes a second transistor connected to the gateline and the data line to output the data voltage in response to thegate-on signal, and a first liquid crystal capacitor for receiving thedata voltage from the second transistor.

The second sub-pixel includes a third transistor connected to the gateline and the data line to output the data voltage in response to thegate-on signal, and a second liquid crystal capacitor for receiving thedata voltage from the third transistor.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the liquid crystal displayfurther includes a second reset line configured to receive a secondreset signal. In this case, the first electrode of the first sharingcapacitor is connected to the first transistor and the second electrodeof the first sharing capacitor is connected to the second reset line.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the liquid crystal displayfurther includes a second reset line configured to receive a secondreset signal and a second sharing capacitor. The second sharingcapacitor includes a first electrode connected to the second reset lineand a second electrode connected to the first transistor.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the connection part may be atransistor including a source electrode connected to the second liquidcrystal capacitor, a drain electrode connected to the first sharingcapacitor, and a gate electrode that is floated.

According to the above, the two sub-pixels are respectively charged withvoltages having different voltage levels from each other, therebywidening the side viewing angle of the liquid crystal display. As aresult, the liquid crystal display may have improved display quality.

In addition, the structure of the gate line and the data line in theliquid crystal display, which apply signals to the pixel, may besimplified, to thereby improve an aperture ratio of the liquid crystaldisplay.

Further, since the sharing capacitor is applied with the reset voltageduring the gate-on period to be initialized, the reliability on theoperation of the sharing capacitor may be improved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other advantages of the present invention will becomereadily apparent by reference to the following detailed description whenconsidered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an equivalent circuit diagram showing a pixel included in aliquid crystal display according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIGS. 2 and 3 are equivalent circuit diagrams showing the pixel shown inFIG. 1, which is driven in response to a gate signal;

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the pixel shown in FIG. 1 according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line I-I′ shown in FIG.4;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line II-II′ shown in FIG.4;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line III-III′ shown inFIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a timing diagram showing an operation of the pixel shown inFIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a simulation graph showing a portion AA shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a plan view showing the pixel shown in FIG. 1 according toanother exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line IV-IV′ shown inFIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is an equivalent circuit diagram showing a pixel according toanother exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is an equivalent circuit diagram showing a pixel according toanother exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is an equivalent circuit diagram showing a pixel according toanother exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is an equivalent circuit diagram showing a pixel according toanother exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 16 is an equivalent circuit diagram showing a pixel according toanother exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to asbeing “on”, “connected to” or “coupled to” another element or layer, itcan be directly on, connected or coupled to the other element or layeror intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when anelement is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly connected to”or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there are nointervening elements or layers present. Like numbers refer to likeelements throughout. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any andall combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. maybe used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layersand/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/orsections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only usedto distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section fromanother region, layer or section. Thus, a first element, component,region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a secondelement, component, region, layer or section without departing from theteachings of the present invention.

Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath”, “below”, “lower”, “above”,“upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description todescribe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) orfeature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that thespatially relative terms are intended to encompass differentorientations of the device in use or operation in addition to theorientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in thefigures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” otherelements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elementsor features. Thus, the exemplary term “below” can encompass both anorientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented(rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relativedescriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Asused herein, the singular forms, “a”, “an” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “includes”and/or “including”, when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,components, and/or groups thereof.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientificterms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by oneof ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will befurther understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly useddictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that isconsistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art andwill not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unlessexpressly so defined herein.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be explained in detail withreference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is an equivalent circuit diagram showing a pixel included in aliquid crystal display according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention, and FIGS. 2 and 3 are equivalent circuit diagramsshowing the pixel shown in FIG. 1, which is driven in response to a gatesignal. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the pixel shown in FIG. 1 andFIGS. 5, 6, and 7 are cross-sectional views respectively taken alonglines I-I′, II-II′ and III-III′ shown in FIG. 4. In addition, FIG. 8 isa timing diagram showing an operation of the pixel shown in FIG. 1 andFIG. 9 is a simulation graph showing a portion AA shown in FIG. 8.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the pixels included in the liquidcrystal display each have the same structure and function, and thus onepixel PX has been shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 as a representative example.

In addition, FIG. 4 shows a layout of the pixel having the equivalentcircuit diagrams shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and a gate line GLi, a data lineDLj, and a first reset line RL1-k have been shown in FIG. 4 to representa plurality of gate lines, a plurality of data lines, and a plurality ofreset lines, which are included in the liquid crystal display.

Referring to FIG. 1, the pixel PX includes a first sub-pixel SPX1 thathas a first transistor TR1 and a first liquid crystal capacitor Clc1, asecond sub-pixel SPX2 that has a second transistor TR2 and a secondliquid crystal capacitor Clc2, a third transistor TR3, a connectionresistor Rs, and a sharing capacitor Cup.

The first transistor TR1 is connected to the gate line GLi and the dataline DLj, and outputs a data voltage in response to a gate-on signal. Inaddition, the second transistor TR2 is connected to the gate line GLiand the data line DLj, and also outputs the data voltage in response tothe gate-on signal.

The first transistor TR1 is connected to the first liquid crystalcapacitor Clc1 at a third node node_c. The first liquid crystalcapacitor Clc1 includes a first pixel electrode PE1 (refer to FIGS. 4 to7) applied with the data voltage output from the first transistor TR1,and a common electrode 122 (refer to FIGS. 4 to 7) facing the firstelectrode PE1.

The second transistor TR2 is connected to the second liquid crystalcapacitor Clc2 at a first node node_a. The second liquid crystalcapacitor Clc2 includes a second pixel electrode PE2 (refer to FIGS. 4to 7) applied with the data voltage output from the second transistorTR2, and the common electrode 122 facing the second pixel electrode PE2.

The third transistor TR3 is connected to the gate line GLi and the firstreset line RL1-k, and outputs a first reset voltage in response to thegate-on signal. As an example, the first reset line RL1-k may be astorage line and the first reset voltage may be a storage voltage.

The first reset voltage has a level different from a level of the datavoltage. In the present exemplary embodiment, the data voltage is largerthan the first reset voltage.

The connection resistor Rs is connected to the second transistor TR2 andthe second liquid crystal capacitor Clc2 at the first node node_a, andconnected to the third transistor TR3 and the sharing capacitor Cup atthe second node node_b.

As will be further explained below, the first node node_a and the secondnode node_b are electrically disconnected from each other by theconnection resistor Rs and transistors TR1 and TR2 during a gate-onperiod Ft1 shown in FIG. 8 (hereinafter, referred to as a first period)of one frame period Ft (refer to FIG. 8). In addition, The first nodenode_a and the second node node_b are electrically connected to eachother by the connection resistor Rs and transistors TR1 and TR2 during agate-off period Ft2 shown in FIG. 8 (hereinafter, referred to as asecond period) of the one frame period Ft (refer to FIG. 8).

Meanwhile, when the liquid crystal display is operated at about 60 Hz,one frame period may be 1/60 of a second. In addition, the first periodFt1 in which the gate-on signal (e.g., a high level of the gate voltage)or pulse is applied to the gate line GLi is much shorter than the secondperiod Ft2 in which the gate-off signal (e.g., the low level of the gatevoltage) is applied to the gate line GLi.

The sharing capacitor Cup includes a first electrode and a secondelectrode. The first electrode of the sharing capacitor Cup is connectedto the connection resistor Rs and the third transistor TR3 at the secondnode node_b, and the second electrode of the sharing capacitor Cup isconnected to the first transistor TR1 and the first liquid crystalcapacitor Clc1 at the third node node_c.

The sharing capacitor Cup receives the data voltage from the firsttransistor TR1 and the first reset voltage from the third transistorTR3, to be charged with the difference between the data voltage and thefirst voltage. When the sharing capacitor Cup is operated, the voltageat the third node node_c is increased and the voltage at the first nodenode_a is decreased after the first period Ft1.

Meanwhile, the first sub-pixel SPX1 and the second sub-pixel SPX2 mayfurther include a first storage capacitor Cst1 and a second storagecapacitor Cst2 respectively, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. The first storagecapacitor Cst1 is configured to include the first pixel electrode PE1and the first reset line RL1-k, and the second storage capacitor Cst2 isconfigured to include the second pixel electrode PE2 and the first resetline RL1-k.

Hereinafter, the configuration of the pixel PX will be described infurther detail with reference to FIGS. 4 to 7.

The liquid crystal display includes a first substrate 110 on which thefirst, second, and third transistors TR1, TR2, and TR3 are disposed, asecond substrate 120 on which the common electrode 122 is disposed, anda liquid crystal layer 130 interposed between the first substrate 110and the second substrate 120. The first and second substrates 110 and120 face each other.

The first substrate 110 includes a first base substrate 111 on which thegate line GLi and the data line DLj are disposed. The gate line GLi isextended in a first direction D1 and the data line DLj is extended in asecond direction D2 crossing the first direction D1. The data line DLjis insulated from the gate line GLi while crossing the gate line GLi.

In addition, the first reset line RL1-k is extended in the firstdirection D1 on the first base substrate 111, to receive the resetvoltage. The first reset line RL1-k further includes a branch portionRL1-P protruding in the second direction when viewed in a plan view. Thebranch portion RL1-P partially overlaps the first pixel electrode PE1.The first reset line RL1-k may be disposed on the same layer as the gateline GLi.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the first transistor TR1 includes a firstgate electrode GE1, a first source electrode SE1, and a first drainelectrode DE1. The gate electrode GE1 branches out from the gate lineGLi. A first insulating layer 115 is disposed on the first basesubstrate 111 to cover the first gate electrode GE1, and the firstsource electrode SE1 (extending from the data line DLj) and the firstdrain electrode DE1 are spaced apart from each other and are disposed onthe first insulating layer 115.

An active layer 116 is disposed in the area between the first sourceelectrode SE1 and the first drain electrode DE1. The active layer 116may be formed of amorphous silicon (a-Si). Although not shown in thefigures, an ohmic contact layer (not shown) may also be disposed betweenthe active layer 116 and the first source electrode SE1, and between theactive layer 116 and the first drain electrode DE1. The ohmic contactlayer may be formed of an n-type amorphous silicon (n+ a-Si:h).

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the third transistor TR3 includes a thirdgate electrode GE3, a third source electrode SE3, and a third drainelectrode DE3 spaced apart from the third source electrode SE3 by apredetermined distance. The third gate electrode GE3 is branched outfrom the gate line GLi. The third gate electrode GE3 is covered by thefirst insulating layer 115. The active layer 116 is disposed on thefirst insulating layer 115, and the third source electrode SE3 and thethird drain electrode DE3 are disposed on the active layer 116 to bespaced apart from each other. The ohmic contact layer (not shown) may befurther disposed between the active layer 116 and the third sourceelectrode SE3, and between the active layer 116 and the third drainelectrode DE3.

The third source electrode SE3 is extended to partially cover the firstreset line RL1-k. The first insulating layer 115 is disposed between thefirst reset line RL1-k and the third source electrode SE3. The thirdsource electrode SE3 and the first reset line RL1-k are electricallyconnected to each other by a connection electrode CNE.

A second insulating layer 118 is disposed on the first base substrate111 to cover the first and third source electrode SE1 and SE3 and thefirst and third drain electrodes DE1 and DE3. In addition, the secondinsulating layer 118 covers a second source electrode SE2 and a seconddrain electrode DE2 of a second transistor described below. The secondinsulating layer 118 may include silicon nitride (SiNx) or silicon oxide(SiO2).

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the first pixel electrode PE1 is disposed onthe second insulating layer 118. The first pixel electrode PE1 includesa trunk portion, an outer portion PE1-O connected to the trunk portion,and a first connection portion CNP1 protruded from the outer portionPE1-O to overlap with the first drain electrode DE1. The trunk portionincludes a horizontal trunk portion PE1-W and a vertical trunk portionPE1-L to generally form a cross shape.

The first pixel electrode PE1 is divided into four sub-areas by thegenerally cross-shaped trunk portion. Each sub-area includes a pluralityof fine branch portions PE1-P extending at oblique angles from the trunkportion. A slit PE1-S is positioned between two adjacent branchportions. The branch portions PE1-P form angles of about 45 degrees,about 135 degrees, about 225 degrees, and about 315 degrees with thehorizontal trunk portion PE1-W.

As described above, since the first pixel electrode PE1 extends acrossthe four sub-areas in which the branch portions PE1-P forming differentangles with the horizontal trunk portion PE1-W are disposed, liquidcrystal molecules included in the liquid crystal layer 130 are inclinedin four different directions. Thus, the viewing angle of the liquidcrystal display may be widened.

As shown in FIG. 5, the second insulating layer 118 is provided with afirst contact hole H1 formed therethrough, to expose at least a portionof the first drain electrode DE1. The first pixel electrode PE1 isconnected to the first drain electrode DE1 through the first contacthole H1. The first connection portion CNP1 may be connected to the firstdrain electrode DE1.

The first electrode Cup-E1 of the sharing capacitor Cup is disposed onthe first insulating layer 115 and a second electrode Cup-E2 is disposedon the second insulating layer 118. In other words, the first electrodeCup-E1 and the second electrode Cup-E2 face each other while interposingthe second insulating layer 118 therebetween.

The first electrode Cup-E1 is physically connected to the third drainelectrode DE3 and the second electrode Cup-E2 is physically connected tothe first pixel electrode PE1. In detail, the second electrode Cup-E2 isconnected to the first connection portion CNP1 included in the firstpixel electrode PE1, to serve as a portion of the first pixel electrodePE1.

As shown in FIG. 6, the first and second insulating layers 115 and 118are provided with a third contact hole H3 formed therethrough, to exposeat least a portion of the third source electrode SE3 and at least aportion of the first reset line RL1-k. The third source electrode SE3and the first reset line RL1-k are electrically connected to each otherby the connection electrode CNE disposed in the third contact hole H3.In order to easily connect the connection electrode CNE and the firstreset line RL1-k, the first reset line RL1-k may include a portionprotruded to (i.e. extending to, or under) the third source electrodeSE3 in a plan view.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, the second transistor TR2 includes a secondgate electrode GE2 extending from the gate line GLi, the second sourceelectrode SE2 extending from the data line DLj, and the second drainelectrode DE2 spaced apart from the second source electrode SE2. Thesecond gate electrode GE2 is covered by the first insulating layer 115.The second source electrode SE2 and the second drain electrode DE2 aredisposed on the first insulating layer 115. The active layer 116 isdisposed in the area between the second source electrode SE2 and thesecond drain electrode DE2.

The second pixel electrode PE2 is disposed on the second insulatinglayer 118 covering the second source electrode SE2 and the second drainelectrode DE2. Similar to the first pixel electrode PE1, the secondpixel electrode PE2 includes a trunk portion, an outer portion connectedto the trunk portion, and a second connection portion CNP2 protrudedfrom the outer portion to overlap with the second drain electrode DE2.The trunk portion includes a horizontal trunk portion and a verticaltrunk portion to form a cross shape, or a shape similar thereto. Thesecond pixel electrode PE2 is divided into four sub-areas by itsgenerally cross-shaped trunk portion. Each sub-area includes a pluralityof fine branch portions obliquely extended from the trunk portion.

The second pixel electrode PE2 is connected to the second drainelectrode DE2 through a second contact hole H2 formed through the secondinsulating layer 118. The second connection portion CNP2 may beconnected to the second drain electrode DE2.

As shown in FIGS. 4 to 7, the first electrode Cup-E1 of the sharingcapacitor Cup is physically separated from the second pixel electrodePE2.

The connection resistor Rs physically connects the first electrodeCup-E1 of the sharing capacitor Cup and the second pixel electrode PE2.As shown in FIG. 7, the second connection portion CNP2 is connected to aportion of the second drain electrode DE2, and a portion of the seconddrain electrode DE2 is connected to the first electrode Cup-E1 of thesharing capacitor Cup through the connection resistor Rs.

The connection resistor Rs may be disposed on the same layer as thesecond drain electrode DE2 and the third drain electrode DE3, andinclude a material, e.g., amorphous silicon, whose resistance decreasesand conductance increases to pass electric charges when exposed tolight. The light is provided from a backlight unit (not shown) includedin the liquid crystal display.

The second substrate 120 includes a second base substrate 121 facing thefirst base substrate 111 and the common electrode 122 disposed on thesecond base substrate 121.

The common electrode 122 is disposed over the second base substrate 121.The common electrode 122 faces the first pixel electrode PE1 and thesecond pixel electrode PE2 while interposing the liquid crystal layer130 therebetween.

The liquid crystal molecules included in the liquid crystal layer 130have a negative dielectric anisotropy. In addition, the liquid crystalmolecules may be aligned such that their long axes are nearlyperpendicular to a surface of the first and second substrates 110 and120 when no electric field is applied thereto.

Hereinafter, the operation of the pixel with the equivalent circuitdiagram shown in FIG. 1 will be described in detail with reference toFIGS. 2, 3, 8, and 9. For the convenience of explanation, however, theinfluence of the first storage capacitor Cst1 and the second storagecapacitor Cst2 on the pixel PX will be omitted.

During the frame period Ft, the gate lines disposed on the liquidcrystal display sequentially receive the gate-on signal. In other words,each gate line receives the gate-on signal only during a predeterminedperiod, e.g., the first period Ft1, of the frame period Ft.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 8, the first transistor TR1 and the secondtransistor TR2 are turned on during the first period Ft1. In addition,the common voltage is applied to the common electrode 122 and the firstreset voltage is applied to the first reset line RL1-k during the firstperiod Ft1. The first node node_a and the second node node_b aredisconnected from each other during the first period Ft1.

The first liquid crystal capacitor Clc1 receives the data voltagethrough the first transistor TR1, and the second liquid crystalcapacitor Clc2 receives the data voltage through the second transistorTR2.

During the first period Ft1, the first pixel voltage and the secondpixel voltage, respectively applied to the first pixel electrode PE1 andthe second pixel electrode PE2, have the same level as the data voltage.The voltage level at the first node node_a is thus the same as the datavoltage. Accordingly, the amount of electric charge at the first nodenode_a is as follows.Qa=(Vd−Vcom)SC2  Equation 1

In Equation 1, Qa denotes the amount of electric charge at the firstnode node_a, Vd denotes the data voltage, Vcom denotes the commonvoltage, and C2 denotes a charge capacitance of the second liquidcrystal capacitor Clc2.

Meanwhile, during the first period Ft1, the voltage level at the secondnode node_b is the same as the first reset voltage, and the voltagelevel at the third node node_c is the same as the data voltage.

Thus, the sharing capacitor Cup is charged with the voltage differencebetween the first reset voltage and the data voltage. Since the amountof electric charge at the second node node_b is the same as the amountof electric charge charged in the sharing capacitor Cup, the amount ofelectric charge at the second node node_b satisfies the followingEquation 2.Qb=(Vr1−Vd)SCp  Equation 2

In Equation 2, Qb denotes the amount of electric charge at the secondnode node_b, Vr1 denotes the first reset voltage, and Cp denotes acharge capacitance of the sharing capacitor Cup.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 8, the first transistor TR1, the secondtransistor TR2, and the third transistor TR3 are turned off during thesecond period Ft2 following the first period Ft1.

In this case, the first node node_a and the second node node_b areconnected to each other across resistor Rs during the second period Ft2.The first node node_a and the second node node_b thus share electriccharges through the connection resistor Rs. However, since the firstperiod Ft1 is sufficiently short compared to the second period Ft2, theequivalent circuit of the pixel can represent that the first node node_aand the second node node_b are disconnected from each other during thefirst period Ft1. On the other hand, the second period Ft2 is very longcompared to the first period Ft1, and thus the equivalent circuit of thepixel represents that the first node node_a and the second node node_bare shorted to each other during the second period Ft2.

In order to electrically disconnect (or at least approximatelyelectrically disconnect) the first node node_a from the second nodenode_b during the first period Ft1, the connection resistor Rs has aresistance value Rrs greater than a resistance value (hereinafter,referred to as turn-on resistance) obtained when the second transistorTR2 and the third transistor TR3 are turned on. In the present exemplaryembodiment, the connection resistor Rs may have a resistance value atleast one-hundred times greater than the turn-on resistance. Forinstance, when the turn-on resistance of the second transistor TR2 andthe third transistor TR3 is about 10⁶ ohms, the resistance value of theconnection resistor Rs is about 10⁸ ohms or more.

The resistance value of the connection resistor Rs is smaller than acritical resistance value during the second period Ft2, in order toelectrically connect the first node_a and the second node node_b. Thecritical resistance value is the resistance value of the connectionresistor Rs that produces a time constant for the circuit PX that isthree times Pτ. The time constant Pτ indicates a response time of acircuit required to achieve 63% with respect to an external input. Inaddition, the time constant Pτ is represented by the following Equation3.Pτ=RrsS(C2+Cp//C1)  Equation 3

In Equation 3, C2 denotes the charge capacitance of the second liquidcrystal capacitor Clc2, C1 denotes the charge capacitance of the firstliquid crystal capacitor Clc1, Cp denotes the charge capacitance of thesharing capacitor Cup, and Rrs denotes the resistance value of theconnection resistor Rs.

After a time interval corresponding to the three times of the timeconstant Pτ, the response of the circuit reaches 95%. When the timeinterval corresponding to three times of the time constant PTτ isgreater than the length of the second period Ft2, the first, second, andthird transistors TR1, TR2, and TR3 are turned on before the first nodenode_a and the second node node_b are electrically connected to eachother. Thus, the time interval corresponding to the three times of thetime constant Pτ is smaller than the time interval corresponding to oneframe period.

The resistance value Rrs of the connection resistor Rs, which satisfiesthe above-mentioned conditions, is determined by the following Equation4.

$\begin{matrix}{{100\mspace{14mu} s\mspace{14mu}{Ron}} < {Rrs} < \frac{Ft}{3\mspace{14mu}{s\left( {{{C\; 2} + {Cp}}//{C\; 1}} \right)}}} & {{Equation}\mspace{14mu} 4}\end{matrix}$

In Equation 4, Ft denotes the time interval corresponding to one frameperiod, and Ron denotes the turn-on resistance of the second transistorTR2 and the third transistor TR3.

Meanwhile, when the first node node_a and the second node node_b areelectrically connected to each other via the connection resistor Rsduring the second period Ft2, the voltage level at the first node node_ais the same as the voltage level at the second node node_b, since thefirst node node_a and the second node node_b share electric charge.

According to the conservation law of electric charge, a sum of theelectric charge at the first node node_a and the electric charge at thesecond node node_b during the second period Ft2 is the same as a sum ofthe electric charge at the first node node_a and the electric charge atthe second node node_b during the first period Ft1.Qa+Qb=(Vab−Vcom)S(C2+C1//Cp)  Equation 5

In Equation 5, C1 denotes the charge capacitance of the first liquidcrystal capacitor Clc1, and Vab denotes the voltage between the firstnode node_a and the second node node_b during the second period Ft2. Asdescribed above, the voltage level at the first node node_a is the sameas the voltage level at the second node node_b during the first periodFt1.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the voltage level at each of the first nodenode_a and the second node node_b is reduced by a predetermined level KBat the transition between the first period Ft1 and the second periodFt2. This is because a kickback voltage, corresponding to the voltagedifference between the data voltage and the charged voltage in theliquid crystal capacitor, occurs when the gate signal falls to a lowlevel from a high level. That is, when the gate signal falls to the lowlevel from the high level, an electric charge sharing phenomenon occursbetween the liquid crystal capacitor and a parasitic capacitor generatedon the thin film transistor, reducing the level of the voltage chargedin the liquid crystal capacitor.

The influence of the kickback voltage has been omitted in Equations 3 to5. The influence of the kickback voltage will also be omitted inEquations 6, 7, and 8. In addition, the voltage level at the third nodenode_c is decreased by the kickback voltage when the first period Ft1 ischanged to the second period Ft2.

When using Equations 1, 2, and 5, the voltage level at the first nodenode_a and the second node node_b during the second period Ft2 is asfollows.

$\begin{matrix}{{Vab} = {{Vcom} + \frac{{\left( {{Vd} - {Vcom}} \right)\mspace{20mu} s\mspace{14mu} C\; 2} + {\left( {{{Vr}\; 1} - {Vd}} \right)\mspace{14mu} s\mspace{14mu}{Cp}}}{{{C\; 2} + {C\; 1}}//{Cp}}}} & {{Equation}\mspace{14mu} 6}\end{matrix}$

The voltage level at the first node node_a and the second node node_b isvaried according to the change from the first period Ft1 to the secondperiod Ft2.

The first node node_a has a voltage level the same as the voltage levelof the data voltage when the gate signal is at the high level, and has avoltage level according to Equation 6 when the gate signal is at the lowlevel.

As shown in FIG. 9, the voltage level at the first node node_a isreduced at a time point where the first period Ft1 ends and the secondperiod Ft2 begins (e.g., right after the first period Ft1), and isreduced by a predetermined level KB due to the kickback voltage.

In addition, the voltage level at the first node node_a is reducedduring a predetermined period (hereinafter, referred to as chargesharing period CSP) of the second period Ft2, and is substantiallyuniformly maintained after the charge sharing period CSP until the gatesignal is applied to the gate line in the next frame period. In thiscase, a time point at which the charge sharing period CSP starts is thesame as a time point at which the second period Ft2 starts.

FIG. 9 shows a pixel in which the charge capacitance of the sharingcapacitor Cup is about 0.1 pF and the resistance value of the connectionresistor Rs is about 0.57×109 ohms. In FIG. 9, the time periodcorresponding to the charge sharing period CSP is about 216microseconds, and the times along the x-axis represent relative times.

On the other hand, the second node node_b has the same voltage level asthe voltage level of the first reset voltage when the gate signal is atits high level, and has a voltage level according to Equation 6 when thegate signal is at its low level. Since the voltage level according toEquation 6 is greater than the level of the first reset voltage, thevoltage level at the second node node_b increases from the first periodFt1 to the second period Ft2. The voltage level at the second nodenode_b is substantially uniformly maintained before the gate-on signalis applied to the gate line during the next frame period after thecharge sharing period CSP.

The voltage level at the third node node_c also changes from the firstperiod Ft1 to the second period Ft2. In more detail, the voltage levelat the third node node_c is increased by capacitive coupling with thesharing capacitor Cup during the second period Ft2. The voltage level atthe third node node_c is increased during the charge sharing period CSP,and substantially uniformly maintained after the charge sharing periodCSP before the gate-on signal is applied to the gate line during thenext frame period.

The voltage at the third node node_c in the second period Ft2 isrepresented by the following Equation 7.

$\begin{matrix}{{Vc} = {{Vd} + {\frac{Cp}{{C\; 1} + {Cp}}s\mspace{14mu}\left( {{Vab} - {Vcom}} \right)}}} & {{Equation}\mspace{14mu} 7}\end{matrix}$

Consequently, according to Equations 5 to 7, the voltage level of thefirst pixel electrode PE1 is increased and the voltage level of thesecond pixel electrode PE2 is decreased from the first period Ft1 to thesecond period Ft2.

In other words, the charge amount in the first liquid crystal capacitorClc1 is decreased to a predetermined level right after the first periodFt1, and is gradually increased from the predetermined level during thecharge sharing period CSP. Conversely, the charge amount in the secondliquid crystal capacitor Clc2 is decreased to the predetermined levelright after the first period Ft1, and is gradually decreased from thepredetermined level during the charge sharing period CSP. Accordingly,the charge amount in the first liquid crystal capacitor Clc1 and thecharge amount in the second liquid crystal capacitor Clc2 becomedifferent from each other after the charge sharing period CSP.

Since the charge amount in the first liquid crystal capacitor Clc1 isdifferent from the charge amount in the second liquid crystal capacitorClc2 during the second period Ft2, the liquid crystal molecules disposedcorresponding to the first sub-pixel SPX1 are aligned differently thanthe liquid crystal molecules disposed corresponding to the secondsub-pixel SPX2. Thus, the image passing through the first sub-pixel SPX1and the image passing through the second sub-pixel SPX2 are provided toa user in different directions from each other, thereby widening theviewing angle of the image provided through the pixel PX.

In addition, since the first reset voltage is applied to the sharingcapacitor Cup during the second period Ft2, the sharing capacitor Cup isinitialized. As a result, the reliability of the sharing capacitor Cupmay be improved.

FIG. 10 is a plan view showing the pixel shown in FIG. 1 according toanother exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 11 is across-sectional view taken along the line IV-IV′ shown in FIG. 10. InFIGS. 10 and 11, the same reference numerals denote the same elements inFIGS. 1 to 9, and thus detailed descriptions of the same elements willbe omitted.

Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, the liquid crystal display includes afirst substrate 110 including the first, second, and third transistorsTR1, TR2, and TR3 disposed thereon, a second substrate 120 facing thefirst substrate 110 and including a common electrode 122 disposedthereon, and a liquid crystal layer 130 interposed between the firstsubstrate 110 and the second substrate 120.

The first substrate 110 includes a first base substrate 111 on which thegate line GLi and the data line DLj are disposed. The gate line GLi isextended in a first direction D1, and the data line DLj is extended in asecond direction D2 crossing the first direction D1. The data line DLjis insulated from the gate line GLi while crossing the gate line GLi.

In addition, a first reset line RL1-k is disposed on the first basesubstrate 111 and extends in both the first and second directions D1 andD2 to receive the reset voltage. The first reset line RL1-k may bedisposed on the same layer as the gate line GL.

For the operation of the second transistor TR2, an active layer 116 isdisposed in an area corresponding to the second source electrode SE, anarea corresponding to the second drain electrode DE2, and an areabetween the source electrode SE and the drain electrode DE when viewedin a plan view. In a cross-sectional view, the active layer 116 isdisposed between the second source electrode SE2 and the firstinsulating layer 115, and between the second drain electrode DE2 and thefirst insulating layer 115. An ohmic contact layer (not shown) may befurther disposed between the active layer 116 and the second sourceelectrode SE2, and between the active layer 116 and the drain electrodeDE2.

The second drain electrode DE2 of the second transistor TR2 and thethird drain electrode DE3 of the third transistor TR3 are disposedadjacent to each other, but the second drain electrode DE2 and the thirddrain electrode DE3 are spaced apart from, and physically separatedfrom, each other by a predetermined distance.

A connection resistor Rs′ is disposed in the area between the seconddrain electrode DE2 and the third drain electrode DE3. The connectionresistor Rs′ is disposed on the same layer as the active layer 116. Inaddition, the connection resistor Rs′ may be formed of the same materialas the active layer 116, and integrally formed with the active layer 116of the first, second, and third transistors TR1, TR2, and TR3.

For instance, that portion of the active layer 116 which connects theactive layer 116 disposed under the second drain electrode DE2 to theactive layer 116 disposed under the third drain electrode DE3 may serveas the connection resistor Rs′.

Thus, the second drain electrode DE2 and the third drain electrode DE3are physically connected to each other by the connection resistor Rs′.In addition, the second drain electrode DE2 and the third drainelectrode DE3 may be electrically connected to each other by theconnection resistor Rs′ during the second period Ft2.

In the present exemplary embodiment, a bridge electrode BE may befurther disposed on the connection resistor Rs′ in order to reduce theresistance value between the second drain electrode DE2 and the thirddrain electrode DE3. The bridge electrode BE has an island shape on theconnection resistor Rs′.

The bridge electrode BE is disposed on the same layer as the seconddrain electrode DE2. In addition, the bridge electrode BE is formed ofthe same material as the conductors of the first, second, and thirdtransistors TR1, TR2, and TR3, and thus the bridge electrode BE has aresistance value lower than that of the connection resistor Rs′.

When the second drain electrode DE2 and the third drain electrode DE3are electrically connected to each other during the second period Ft2,the bridge electrode BE serves as a path through which the electriccharges move. In the present exemplary embodiment, multiple bridgeelectrodes BE may be provided, where the bridge electrodes BE are spacedapart from each other when two or more bridge electrodes BE areprovided.

FIGS. 12 to 16 are equivalent circuit diagrams showing pixels accordingto various exemplary embodiments of the present invention. In FIGS. 12to 16, the same reference numerals denote the same elements in FIGS. 1to 11, and thus detailed descriptions of the same elements will beomitted.

Referring to FIG. 12, a pixel PX-1 includes the first sub-pixel SPX1,the second sub-pixel SPX2, the third transistor TR3, the connectionresistor Rs, and the sharing capacitor Cup.

The first electrode of the sharing capacitor Cup is connected to thesecond node node_b to be electrically connected to the third thin filmtransistor TR3, and the second electrode of the sharing capacitor Cup isconnected to a reset line. The reset line to which the second electrodeof the sharing capacitor Cup is connected is a second reset line RL2-k,which carries a voltage (hereinafter, referred to as second resetvoltage) different from the voltage applied to the first reset lineRL1-k.

The pixel PX-1 has the same structure and circuit configuration as thatof the pixel PX shown in FIG. 1 except for the connection structure ofthe sharing capacitor Cup, and thus the same elements will be assignedthe same reference numerals and details of the same elements will beomitted.

As described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the first node node_a andthe second node node_b are electrically disconnected from each otherduring the first period Ft1. The first pixel electrode PE1 of the firstliquid crystal capacitor Clc1 and the second pixel electrode PE2 of thesecond liquid crystal capacitor Clc2 receive the data voltage during thefirst period Ft1.

In addition, the sharing capacitor Cup receives the second reset voltagefrom the second reset line RL2-k and the first reset voltage from thethird transistor TR3 to charge the voltage difference between the firstreset voltage and the second reset voltage. In the present exemplaryembodiment, each of the first and second reset voltages may have avoltage level different from that of the data voltage.

After the first period Ft1, the first node node_a and the second nodenode_b are electrically connected to each other by the connectionresistor Rs, so that an electric charge sharing phenomenon occursbetween the first node node_a and the second node node_b. Accordingly,the voltage level at the first node node_a becomes equal to the voltagelevel at the second node node_b. As a result, the voltage level at thefirst node node_a is decreased.

Since the charge amount in the second liquid crystal capacitor Clc2 isreduced according to the decrease in voltage level at the first nodenode_a, the charge amount in the first liquid crystal capacitor Clc1becomes different from the charge amount in the second liquid crystalcapacitor Clc2. Therefore, the liquid crystal molecules disposedcorresponding to the first sub-pixel SPX1 and the liquid crystalmolecules disposed corresponding to the second sub-pixel SPX2 arealigned in different directions from each other. Accordingly, the imagepassing through the first sub-pixel SPX1 and the image passing throughthe second sub-pixel SPX2 are provided to the user in differentdirections from each other, thereby widening the viewing angle of theimage provided through the pixel PX.

Referring to FIG. 13, a pixel PX-2 includes the first sub-pixel SPX1,the second sub-pixel SPX2, the third transistor TR3, the connectionresistor Rs, a first sharing capacitor Cup1, and a second sharingcapacitor Cup2.

In the present exemplary embodiment, a first electrode of the firstsharing capacitor Cup1 is connected to the third node node_c, and asecond electrode of the first sharing capacitor Cup1 is connected to thesecond node node_b. The first sharing capacitor Cup1 performs the samefunction as the sharing capacitor Cup described with reference to FIGS.1 to 9.

In addition, a first electrode of the second sharing capacitor Cup2 isconnected to the second node node_b, and a second electrode of thesecond sharing capacitor Cup2 is connected to a reset line. In thepresent exemplary embodiment, the reset line to which the secondelectrode of the second sharing capacitor Cup2 is connected is thesecond reset line RL2-k. The second sharing capacitor Cup2 carries outthe same function as the sharing capacitor described with reference toFIG. 10.

As described previously, the first node node_a and the second nodenode_b are electrically disconnected from each other during the firstperiod Ft1. The first pixel electrode PE1 of the first liquid crystalcapacitor Clc1 and the second pixel electrode PE2 of the second liquidcrystal capacitor Clc2 receive the data voltage during the first periodFt1. During the second period Ft2, the first node node_a and the secondnode node_b are electrically connected to each other by the connectionresistor Rs, so that a charge sharing phenomenon occurs between thefirst node node_a and the second node node_b.

When the voltage level at the first node node_a becomes equal to thevoltage level at the second node node_b, the voltage level at the firstnode node_a is decreased. Conversely, the voltage level at the thirdnode node_c is increased by capacitive coupling with the first sharingcapacitor Cup1.

Consequently, the charge amount in the first liquid crystal capacitorClc1 is different from the charge amount in the second liquid crystalcapacitor Clc2 during the second period Ft2, and the liquid crystalmolecules disposed corresponding to the first sub-pixel SPX1 and theliquid crystal molecules disposed corresponding to the second sub-pixelSPX2 are aligned in different directions from each other.

As shown in FIG. 14, a pixel PX-3 includes the first sub-pixel SPX1, thesecond sub-pixel SPX2, the third transistor TR3, and the sharingcapacitor Cup.

Unlike the pixels PX, PX-1, and PX-2 shown in FIGS. 1 to 13, the pixelPX-3 includes a fourth transistor TR4 connected between the first nodenode_a and the second node node_b.

Since the pixel PX-3 includes the same structures as those of the pixelPX shown in FIGS. 1 to 9 except for the fourth transistor TR4, the sameelements will be assigned the same reference numerals and details of thesame elements will be omitted.

The fourth transistor TR4 includes a fourth source electrode connectedto the first node node_a, a fourth drain electrode connected to thesecond node node_b, and a fourth gate electrode that is floated.

The fourth transistor TR4 is connected to the second transistor TR2 atthe first node node_a, to receive the data voltage output from thesecond transistor TR2. The fourth transistor TR4 is driven according toparasitic capacitors generated between the fourth source electrode andthe fourth gate electrode, and between the fourth drain electrode andthe fourth gate electrode. For instance, when a charge capacitance of afirst parasitic capacitor CS1 generated by coupling of the fourth sourceelectrode and the fourth gate electrode is equal to a charge capacitanceof a second parasitic capacitor CS2 generated by coupling of the fourthdrain electrode and the fourth gate electrode, the voltage of the fourthgate electrode is represented by the following Equation 8.

$\begin{matrix}{{{{Vg}\; 4} = \frac{\left( {{{Vd}\; 4} + {{Vs}\; 4}} \right)}{2}},\left( {{Cdg} = {Csg}} \right)} & {{Equation}\mspace{14mu} 8}\end{matrix}$

In Equation 8, Vg4 denotes the voltage of the fourth gate electrode, Vd4denotes the voltage of the fourth drain electrode, and Vs4 denotes thevoltage of the fourth source electrode. In addition, Csg denotes thecharge capacitance of the first parasitic capacitor CS1 and Cdg denotesthe charge capacitance of the second parasitic capacitor CS2.Hereinafter, the pixel PX-3 will be described on the assumption that thecharge capacitance of the first parasitic capacitor CS1 is equal to thecharge capacitance of the second parasitic capacitor CS2.

During the first period Ft1, the first transistor TR1, the secondtransistor TR2, and the third transistor TR3 are turned on and thefourth transistor TR4 is not turned on, so the first node node_a and thesecond node node_b are electrically disconnected from each other.

During the first period Ft1, the fourth source electrode has the sameelectric potential level as the first node node_a and the fourth drainelectrode has the same electric potential level as the second nodenode_b.

The first liquid crystal capacitor Clc1 and the second liquid crystalcapacitor Clc2 receive the data voltage and the common voltage,respectively, and are charged with the voltage difference between thedata voltage and the common voltage.

In addition, the sharing capacitor Cup receives the first reset voltagefrom the third transistor TR3 through the second node node_b, andreceives the data voltage through the third node node_c to charge thevoltage difference between the first reset voltage and the data voltage.

In this case, an input voltage of the fourth transistor TR4 is definedby the voltage difference between the fourth source electrode and thefourth gate electrode. According to Equation 8, the voltage of thefourth gate voltage is decided by the voltage of the fourth sourceelectrode and the voltage of the fourth drain electrode. Accordingly,the input voltage of the fourth transistor TR4 is decided by thedifference between the voltage of the fourth drain electrode and thevoltage of the fourth source electrode.

During the first period Ft1, the fourth source electrode is connected tothe first node node_a to which the data voltage is applied, and thefourth drain electrode is connected to the second node node_b to whichthe first reset voltage is applied. Accordingly, the electric potentialof the fourth source electrode is higher than the electric potential ofthe fourth drain electrode during the first period Ft1. In addition, theelectric potential of the fourth source electrode is higher than theelectric potential of the fourth gate electrode during the first periodFt1.

When the fourth transistor TR4 receives the data voltage, the voltagecharged in the first parasitic capacitor Cs1 is increased and thevoltage of the fourth gate electrode is increased. Thus, a current flowsfrom the first node node_a to the second node node_b and the voltage ofthe fourth drain electrode starts to increase.

During the second period Ft2, the first, second, and third transistorsTR1, TR2, and TR3 are turned off. However, the fourth transistor TR4 ismaintained in the on state until the voltage of the fourth drainelectrode, the voltage of the fourth source electrode, and the voltageof the fourth gate electrode become the same level. Thus, the voltage ofthe source electrode decreases and the voltage of the fourth drainelectrode increases.

In this case, since the fourth source electrode has the same voltagelevel as the second pixel electrode PE2 of the second liquid crystalcapacitor Clc2, the voltage level of the second pixel electrode PE2decreases according to the decrease of the voltage level of the fourthsource electrode.

On the other hand, the voltage level at the second node node_b increasesaccording to the increase of the voltage level of the fourth drainelectrode. In addition, as described with reference to FIG. 3, thevoltage level at the third node node_c increases and the voltage levelof the first pixel electrode PE1 increases according to the increase ofvoltage level at the second node node_b.

Accordingly, during the second period Ft2, the charge amount in thefirst liquid crystal capacitor Clc1 increases and the charge amount inthe second liquid crystal capacitor Clc2 decreases.

When the charge amount in the first liquid crystal capacitor Clc1becomes different from the charge amount in the second liquid crystalcapacitor Clc2, the liquid crystal molecules disposed corresponding tothe first sub-pixel SPX1 are aligned different from the liquid crystalmolecules disposed corresponding to the second sub-pixel SPX2.Consequently, the image passing through the first sub-pixel SPX1 and theimage passing through the second sub-pixel SPX2 are provided to the userin different directions from each other, thereby widening the viewingangle of the image provided through the pixel PX-3.

Referring to FIG. 15, a pixel PX-4 includes the first sub-pixel SPX1,the second sub-pixel SPX2, the third transistor TR3, the fourthtransistor TR4, and the sharing capacitor Cup.

In the pixel PX-4 according to the present exemplary embodiment, theconnection resistor Rs included in the pixel PX-2 shown in FIG. 12 isreplaced with the fourth transistor TR4. In more detail, the firstelectrode of the sharing capacitor Cup is connected to the second nodenode_b, and the second electrode of the sharing capacitor Cup isconnected to a reset line to receive a reset voltage. The secondelectrode of the sharing capacitor Cup may be connected to the secondreset line RL2-k as shown in FIG. 14. In addition, the fourth transistorTR4 is connected between the first node node_a and the second nodenode_b.

During the first period Ft1, the first transistor TR1, the secondtransistor TR2, and the third transistor TR3 are turned on and thefourth transistor TR4 is maintained in its off state (i.e., turned off).Accordingly, the first node node_a and the second node node_b areelectrically disconnected from each other.

The first pixel electrode PE1 of the first liquid crystal capacitor Clc1receives the data voltage and the second pixel electrode PE2 of thesecond liquid crystal capacitor Clc2 receives the data voltage.

During the second period Ft2, the first, second, and third transistorsTR1, TR2, and TR3 are turned off. However, the fourth transistor TR4 ismaintained in its on state until the voltage of the fourth drainelectrode, the voltage of the fourth source electrode, and the voltageof the fourth gate electrode become the same level.

As described with reference to FIG. 14, the voltage level of the secondpixel electrode PE2 is reduced during the second period Ft2. In thepresent exemplary embodiment, since the second node node_b and the thirdnode node_c are electrically disconnected from each other, the voltagelevel of the first pixel electrode PE1 is substantially uniformlymaintained during the second period Ft2.

Consequently, the charge amount in the first liquid crystal capacitorClc1 becomes different from the charge amount in the second liquidcrystal capacitor Clc2, since the charge amount in the second liquidcrystal capacitor Clc2 decreases. As a result, the liquid crystalmolecules disposed corresponding to the first sub-pixel SPX1 and theliquid crystal molecules disposed corresponding to the second sub-pixelSPX2 are aligned in different directions from each other.

Referring to FIG. 16, a pixel PX-5 includes a first sub-pixel SPX1, asecond sub-pixel SPX2, the third transistor TR3, and the fourthtransistor TR4. In addition, the pixel PX-5 further includes a firstsharing capacitor Cup1 and a second sharing capacitor Cup2.

In the pixel PX-5 according to the present exemplary embodiment, theconnection resistor Rs included in the pixel PX-2 shown in FIG. 13 isreplaced with the fourth transistor TR4. The fourth transistor TR4 isconnected between the first node node_a and the second node node_b.

The first electrode of the first sharing capacitor Cup1 is connected tothe third node node_c and the second electrode of the first sharingcapacitor Cup1 is connected to the second node node_b. The first sharingcapacitor Cup1 performs the function of the sharing capacitor Cupdescribed with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9.

The first electrode of the second sharing capacitor Cup2 is connected tothe second node node_b, and the second electrode of the second sharingcapacitor Cup2 is connected to a reset line. In the present exemplaryembodiment, the reset line to which the second electrode of the secondsharing capacitor Cup2 is connected may be the second reset line RL2-k.The second sharing capacitor Cup2 performs the function of the sharingcapacitor Cup described with reference to FIG. 12.

During the first period Ft1, the first, second, and third transistorsTR1, TR2, and TR3 are turned on, and the fourth transistor TR4 is notturned on. Accordingly, the first node node_a and the second node node_bare electrically disconnected from each other.

The first pixel electrode PE1 of the first liquid crystal capacitor Clc1receives the data voltage and the second pixel electrode PE2 of thesecond liquid crystal capacitor Clc2 receives the data voltage.

During the second period Ft2, the first, second, and third transistorsTR1, TR2, and TR3 are turned off. However, the fourth transistor TR4 ismaintained in its on state until the voltage of the fourth drainelectrode, the voltage of the fourth source electrode, and the voltageof the fourth gate electrode become the same level.

As described with reference to FIG. 14, the voltage level of the secondpixel electrode PE2 is reduced during the second period Ft2. On theother hand, the voltage level at the third node node_c is increased bycapacitive coupling with the first sharing capacitor Cup1.

Consequently, the charge amount in the first liquid crystal capacitorClc1 becomes different from the charge amount in the second liquidcrystal capacitor Clc2, and the liquid crystal molecules disposedcorresponding to the first sub-pixel SPX1 and the liquid crystalmolecules disposed corresponding to the second sub-pixel SPX2 arealigned in different directions from each other.

Although the exemplary embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed, it is understood that the present invention should not belimited to these exemplary embodiments but various changes andmodifications can be made by one ordinary skilled in the art within thespirit and scope of the present invention as hereinafter claimed.

What is claimed is:
 1. A liquid crystal display, comprising: a gate lineconfigured to receive a gate-on signal during a first period of a frameperiod; a data line crossing the gate line to receive a data voltage; afirst sub-pixel connected to the gate line and the data line to receivethe data voltage in response to the gate-on signal; a second sub-pixelconnected to the gate line and the data line to receive the data voltagein response to the gate-on signal; a first sharing capacitor including afirst electrode and a second electrode; a connection part electricallyconnecting the first electrode of the first sharing capacitor to thesecond sub-pixel after the first period; a first reset line configuredto receive a first reset signal; a first transistor connected to thegate line and the first reset line to output the first reset signal inresponse to the gate-on signal; and a second reset line configured toreceive a second reset signal, wherein the first electrode of the firstsharing capacitor is connected to the first transistor and the secondelectrode of the first sharing capacitor is connected to the secondreset line.
 2. The liquid crystal display of claim 1, wherein the secondreset signal has a voltage level different from a voltage level of thefirst reset signal.
 3. The liquid crystal display of claim 1, whereinthe first sub-pixel comprises a second transistor connected to the gateline and the data line to output the data voltage in response to thegate-on signal and a first liquid crystal capacitor for receiving thedata voltage from the second transistor, and the second sub-pixelcomprises a third transistor connected to the gate line and the dataline to output the data voltage in response to the gate-on signal and asecond liquid crystal capacitor for receiving the data voltage from thethird transistor.
 4. The liquid crystal display of claim 3 wherein,after the first period, the connection part is electrically connected tothe second liquid crystal capacitor at a first node and electricallyconnected to the first electrode of the first sharing capacitor at asecond node.
 5. The liquid crystal display of claim 4, wherein an amountof electric charge in the second liquid crystal capacitor is reducedduring a charge sharing period that occurs after the first period.
 6. Aliquid crystal display, comprising: a gate line configured to receive agate-on signal during a first period of a frame period; a data linecrossing the gate line to receive a data voltage; a first sub-pixelconnected to the gate line and the data line to receive the data voltagein response to the gate-on signal; a second sub-pixel connected to thegate line and the data line to receive the data voltage in response tothe gate-on signal; a first sharing capacitor including a firstelectrode and a second electrode, wherein the second electrode iselectrically connected to the first sub-pixel; a connection partelectrically connecting the first electrode of the first sharingcapacitor to the second sub-pixel after the first period; a first resetline configured to receive a first reset signal; a first transistorconnected to the gate line and the first reset line to output the firstreset signal in response to the gate-on signal; a second reset lineconfigured to receive a second reset signal; and a second sharingcapacitor including a first electrode connected to the second reset lineand a second electrode connected to the first transistor.
 7. The liquidcrystal display of claim 6, wherein the second reset signal has avoltage level different from a voltage level of the first reset signal.8. The liquid crystal display of claim 6 wherein, after the firstperiod, the connection part is electrically connected to the secondliquid crystal capacitor at a first node and electrically connected tothe first electrode of the first sharing capacitor and the secondelectrode of the second sharing capacitor at a second node, and thesecond electrode of the first sharing capacitor is electricallyconnected to the first liquid crystal capacitor at a third node.
 9. Theliquid crystal display of claim 8, wherein an amount of electric chargein the second liquid crystal capacitor is reduced during a chargesharing period that occurs after the first period.
 10. The liquidcrystal display of claim 8, wherein an amount of electric charge in thefirst liquid crystal capacitor is gradually increased during a chargesharing period of the first period.
 11. A liquid crystal display,comprising: a gate line configured to receive a gate-on signal during afirst period of a frame period; a data line crossing the gate line toreceive a data voltage; a first sub-pixel connected to the gate line andthe data line to receive the data voltage in response to the gate-onsignal; a second sub-pixel connected to the gate line and the data lineto receive the data voltage in response to the gate-on signal; a firstsharing capacitor including a first electrode and a second electrode,wherein the second electrode is electrically connected to the firstsub-pixel; a connection part electrically connecting the first electrodeof the first sharing capacitor to the second sub-pixel after the firstperiod; a first reset line configured to receive a first reset signal;and a first transistor connected to the gate line and the first resetline to output the first reset signal in response to the gate-on signal;wherein the first transistor electrically connects the first reset lineto the first electrode of the first sharing capacitor during the firstperiod; wherein the first sub-pixel comprises a second transistorconnected to the gate line and the data line to output the data voltagein response to the gate-on signal and a first liquid crystal capacitorfor receiving the data voltage from the second transistor, and thesecond sub-pixel comprises a third transistor connected to the gate lineand the data line to output the data voltage in response to the gate-onsignal and a second liquid crystal capacitor for receiving the datavoltage from the third transistor; and wherein the connection partcomprises a fourth transistor including a source electrode connected tothe second liquid crystal capacitor, a drain electrode connected to thefirst sharing capacitor, and a gate electrode that is floated so as notto receive a corresponding gate-on signal.
 12. The liquid crystaldisplay of claim 11, wherein the first electrode of the first sharingcapacitor is connected to the drain electrode of the fourth transistorand the second electrode of the first sharing capacitor is connected tothe first liquid crystal capacitor.
 13. The liquid crystal display ofclaim 11, further comprising: a second reset line configured to receivea second reset signal; and a second sharing capacitor including a firstelectrode connected to the first transistor and a second electrodeconnected to the second reset line, wherein the first electrode and thesecond electrode of the first sharing capacitor are connected to thethird transistor and the first liquid crystal capacitor, respectively.14. The liquid crystal display of claim 13, wherein the second resetsignal has a voltage level different from a voltage level of the firstreset signal.
 15. The liquid crystal display of claim 1, wherein theconnection part includes a connection resistor comprising a firstmaterial, and the first material has a resistance value that decreaseswhen exposed to a light.
 16. The liquid crystal display of claim 1,wherein the connection part comprises a fourth transistor including asource electrode connected to the second liquid crystal capacitor, adrain electrode connected to the first sharing capacitor, and a gateelectrode that is floated so as not to receive a corresponding gate-onsignal.
 17. The liquid crystal display of claim 6, wherein theconnection part includes a connection resistor comprising a firstmaterial, and the first material has a resistance value that decreaseswhen exposed to a light.